P38a front seat belt catches

easy-shaft · Dec 1, 2022

P38a 4.6 1999 100k Both front seatbelt catches do not 'catch' very well. When pressing the release button, it feels slack.

Occasionally, the catch (especially the passenger side) let's go.

I can buy replacements from breakers, but if this is a common problem, the replacements might not be much better.

Does anyone have experience of fixing this issue?

Plan to take them off and have a look.

brianp38dse · Dec 1, 2022

May well be a bit gummed up and a good clean will sort it.

Karlos the jackal · Dec 1, 2022

give them a good clean and if possible a good blast with a air line

Rubberknees · Dec 1, 2022

Good blast out with brake cleaner then some spray grease

easy-shaft · Dec 2, 2022

Many thanks. Will try with brake cleaner (fire extinguishers at hand) then regrease. Will report back

oakey · Dec 2, 2022

When mine did this I replaced with new cos if they dont work when you REALL REALLY want them to could be too late for to take them back

romanrob · Dec 4, 2022

contact cleaner/ grease may work...the buckles are sealed in a plastic casing, so you will have to break the casing to get in. I repair most things, but given this is a safety item and when I did crack it open it did not look an obvious fix then I bought one off a breaker. RHF are very rare : o), and even 2nd hand they are not cheap

Datatek · Dec 4, 2022

romanrob said:
contact cleaner/ grease may work...the buckles are sealed in a plastic casing, so you will have to break the casing to get in. I repair most things, but given this is a saftey item and when I did crack it open ot did not look an obvious fix then I bought one off a breaker. RHF are very rare : o), and even 2nd hand they are not cheap

Contact cleaner/lubricant seems to work, I used Servisol.

easy-shaft · Dec 20, 2022

As I can feel the latch is not positive, I will clean, grease and retry. If they don't feel vastly improved, then they will need replacing.
They have less than 100k on them but the passengers is worse than the driver.

Whist safety is important, if I was looking to blow hundreds on safety parts, it would be the brake pump and associated electrics that I go for first. I certainly don't drive this car for a feeling of safety

.

I was going t buy some used ones and try my luck. But most scrappers seem to be selling left and right as the same. Romanrob, how do you tell the difference?

Datatek · Dec 21, 2022

easy-shaft said:
As I can feel the latch is not positive, I will clean, grease and retry. If they don't feel vastly improved, then they will need replacing.
They have less than 100k on them but the passengers is worse than the driver.

Whist safety is important, if I was looking to blow hundreds on safety parts, it would be the brake pump and associated electrics that I go for first. I certainly don't drive this car for a feeling of safety .

I was going t buy some used ones and try my luck. But most scrappers seem to be selling left and right as the same. Romanrob, how do you tell the difference?

I think left and right front are the same. I freed mine off with a wash out using Servisol followed by some 3 in 1.

Grrrrrr · Dec 21, 2022

Datatek said:
Contact cleaner/lubricant seems to work, I used Servisol.

+1. I used the graphite powder used in locks.

romanrob · Dec 23, 2022

easy-shaft said:
As I can feel the latch is not positive, I will clean, grease and retry. If they don't feel vastly improved, then they will need replacing.
They have less than 100k on them but the passengers is worse than the driver.

Whist safety is important, if I was looking to blow hundreds on safety parts, it would be the brake pump and associated electrics that I go for first. I certainly don't drive this car for a feeling of safety .

I was going t buy some used ones and try my luck. But most scrappers seem to be selling left and right as the same. Romanrob, how do you tell the difference?[/QUOTE
They have a sticker on for R/L...but as for the real difference that is a very good question... Possibly only a piece at the bottom that shields the floor bolt, but that cd easily be switched

P38a front seat belt catches

easy-shaft

Member

brianp38dse

Well-Known Member

Karlos the jackal

Well-Known Member

Rubberknees

Well-Known Member

easy-shaft

Member

oakey

Well-Known Member

romanrob

Well-Known Member

Datatek

Well-Known Member

easy-shaft

Member

Datatek

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Grrrrrr

Technician, Bodgit & Scarper Ltd

romanrob

Well-Known Member

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